New Phidgets Encoder volume control util

I have finished writing a C & C++ based component to take input from the Phidgets Encoder to control the master volume. It works with XP, Vista and Win7. The only thing I haven't done yet is make it start automatically when a user logs in. But there is plenty of notes on the net that show how this is done.

The attached zip has the phidgets21.dll and the UsbVolume.exe application I wrote. Just extract these to anywhere you want and run the .exe.

When it starts, there is a window that pops up that has a slider to show the current volume and the mute setting. As you turn the knob on the Phidgets encoder, the master colume changes. If you push the encoder's momentary switch, it toggles the mute. The window will automatically disappear after 10 seconds of not touching the encoder.

This util does not need to be run in compatibiliity mode under Vista or Win7. It knows which OS it's running on and does the right thing.

The util was not meant to be killed, but if you click once in the pop up window (to set focus) and click the ESC key, that will end the program. Or you can use task manager to kill the process called UsbVolume.

Good job on the programming!! It worked immediately, very nice. I was wondering if you could adjust a bit. I did a bit of programming on the phidget, but I never got this properly working myself. Maybe it is a bit to much to ask but I'll try it anyway.

1. Could you make the volume adjusting more sensitive. So you have to make 2 full revolutions in order to go from min to max...

2. It doesn't react on the winamp volume adjust, that not really an issue, but I just noticed it.

3. The screen disappears in 10 sec. is, I would like to have it gone in 2 sec.

4. And maybe you can make it look like the picture below, bit more flat and stretched? - Slighty transparant?

Good job on the programming!! It worked immediately, very nice. I was wondering if you could adjust a bit. I did a bit of programming on the phidget, but I never got this properly working myself. Maybe it is a bit to much to ask but I'll try it anyway.

1. Could you make the volume adjusting more sensitive. So you have to make 2 full revolutions in order to go from min to max...

2. It doesn't react on the winamp volume adjust, that not really an issue, but I just noticed it.

3. The screen disappears in 10 sec. is, I would like to have it gone in 2 sec.

4. And maybe you can make it look like the picture below, bit more flat and stretched? - Slighty transparant?

I am allready very happy with it, but like this it would be PERFECT!

Thanks a lot!!

Jeroen

#1 is easy.
#2...I am only trying to control the master volume. When I used winamp, the master volume does change and indirectly controls winamp. Are you not seeing this?
#3 is also very easy. I hardcoded the 10 sec delay.
#4...hmm...when you say more flat, do you mean get rid of the 3D "sunken" effect? That's easy. Stretching it is also simple. Transparent should be easy as well.

I can make a simple text file to set the sensitivity and the delay before hiding the window.

What operating system have you tried this on? Are you seeing any problems with suspend/resume?

#1 is easy.
#2...I am only trying to control the master volume. When I used winamp, the master volume does change and indirectly controls winamp. Are you not seeing this?
#3 is also very easy. I hardcoded the 10 sec delay.
#4...hmm...when you say more flat, do you mean get rid of the 3D "sunken" effect? That's easy. Stretching it is also simple. Transparent should be easy as well.

I can make a simple text file to set the sensitivity and the delay before hiding the window.

What operating system have you tried this on? Are you seeing any problems with suspend/resume?

Thanks!!

#1 Nice.
#2 well.. I guess. But it is OK like this
#3 Nice
#4 Idd the sunken effect, but also less "high". Is it possible to adjust the transparancy in a textfile too? And maybe the dimension of the box.. with certain limits offcourse. I guess than its completely adjustable..

I am using this on Windows 7 64bit Ultimate. With a Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 card. But no problems encountered so far. I tested it with direct startup, winamp, Total media theatre 3 (arcsoft), media player. I can use my remote control, your application and just the mouse without interference. Al perfectly fine!

Anyway.. A bit information about my project. I made an amplifier diy, with 5 channels. This is being connected to a computer.

This is a link to a dutch diy audio forum, but the pictures are self explanatory.

This is awesome! Something I have been waiting on for years. I had nearly thrown away my encoder because it would never work with my carputer, but this one does!

My only 2 thoughts.
1. No popup. I cant see any reason for another popup telling me the volume. Maybe an option, or a tray icon so I can bring it up if I need it, but right now it covers all my relevant info on screen.
2. The mute button doesnt work....what can I tell you to get it to work?

THANKS!

98 V6 Camry XLE
Status-Everything is working again!
No progress while I am in NYCZe Worklog

OK, I just updated the attached zip file. It now includes an updated UsbVolume.exe and a new UsbVolume.ini file. The contents of the ini file are:

WindowWidth : width of the dialog box window
Sensitivity : sensitivity of the changes in encoder position
Timeout : how many seconds until the window is hidden
Transparency : not used yet
RoundedCorners : 1 means use rounded corners; 0 is square
Visible : 1 means work as usual; 0 means minimize the window immediately. This will keep the window from popping up as well. If you click on the icon in the task bar, clicking in the dialog box window will hide it again.

The sensitivity field is used as follows:

newvolume = oldvolume + change-in-encoder-position * 1 / sensitivity. Therefore, 1 is the same as before. 2 would be 1/2 the rate...3 would be 1/3...etc.

One other note; right now the .ini file must be in the same folder as the .exe. By default, Windows looks in the Windows folder (usually C:\Windows) for ini files. Not sure how I will finalize this yet.

This is awesome! Something I have been waiting on for years. I had nearly thrown away my encoder because it would never work with my carputer, but this one does!

My only 2 thoughts.
1. No popup. I cant see any reason for another popup telling me the volume. Maybe an option, or a tray icon so I can bring it up if I need it, but right now it covers all my relevant info on screen.
2. The mute button doesnt work....what can I tell you to get it to work?

THANKS!

So, usingn the latest version, set Visible to 0 to keep the popup from appearing automatically.

As far as the mute not working, I found a bug that is fixed in the latest version. Let me know if it corrects your problem.

Wow. Thats instant feedback response!
Yes everything is great now, no problems. I love the way this little app works and does everything beautifully. My only remaining thought would be, could we get the app to live in the tray and not the taskbar? Just when I am working it takes up space down there which it doesnt have to...

Thanks so much!

98 V6 Camry XLE
Status-Everything is working again!
No progress while I am in NYCZe Worklog

Fair Enough. It might be cool if there was a way to do it transparent and a smaller footprint, and then one could drag it to a part of their layout which wouldnt interfere but you could see it in action.

Now ive got to go back and figure out where im going to mount the thing. Ive had it for like 3 years but had never been able to get any other versions of vol control to work.

98 V6 Camry XLE
Status-Everything is working again!
No progress while I am in NYCZe Worklog